A panel of graduate admissions representatives talk about the graduate admissions application process and financial aid. Recorded during the summer Washington, DC Idealist.org Graduate Degree Fair for the Public Good hosted by the American University School of Public Affairs. Part 1 contains the following questions: How do teaching assistantships work? 6:45 Should I get a second masters? 8:35 What are some of the issues that prospective students be thinking about? 10:12 How do I transition from one area of study to another, eg, biochemistry to policy? 13:44 Do your programs prefer or require professional work experience in your applicants? 16:39 Would volunteer work related to my graduate field of interest count as experience in the application?18:55 What are some practical tools I should be using right now to pay for grad school? 20:10 More information on the Idealist.org Graduate Degree Fair for the Public Good: www.idealist.org and more articles with insight from graduate admissions representatives and alumni www.idealist.org